4:19 - Political Authority, 1949-1963
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- Created on: 27-02-18 19:50
WHAT DID THE NEW 'BASIC LAW' OF THE FRG CREATE?
A democratic and federal state known as the Federal Republic of Germany. It established a constitution, including a statement of civil rights, was to be guarded by a Federal Constitutional Court.
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WHAT WAS THE STATEMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS?
Guaranteed freedom of expression, assembly, association, and movement for all German citizens. Committed FRG to full unity of Germany and recognised all German people (including those under Soviet and Polish rule) as citizens of the FRG.
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HOW WAS FGR CITIZENSHIP DETERMINED?
Citizenship automatically available to any German who chose to settle in the FRG. All Germans entitled to live and work in the FRG and receive welfare benefits and education from state.
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HOW MANY GERMANS FLED TO THE FRG?
Over 2 million from Soviet territories (mainly EG) between 1949 and 1961 (12 years).
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WHAT WAS THE ELECTORATE'S ROLE IN THE NEW CONSTITUTION?
All citizens free, equal, entitled to secret vote. Two votes, one for party and one for local representative, mixture of proportional rep. and first past the post.
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HOW OFTEN WERE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN THE FRG?
Every 4 years, frequent enough for accountability but not so often that it caused instability.
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HOW DID THE FRG FEDERAL SYSTEM WORK?
Citizens vote for local Lander/state parliaments and for a central Bundestag; they are represented at each level and one 'checks' the other.
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HOW WAS BUNDESTAG VOTED IN IN FRG AND WHAT WAS ITS PURPOSE?
Lower house of parliament, voted in every 4 years, pass legislation and control gov., 5% rule (minimum of 5% of votes to obtain seat). Prevents too many minority parties, stable gov., powers were checked by Bundesrat.
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WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE BUNDESRAT IN THE FRG?
Upper house of parliament. 69 members were delegates of state govs. Checks Bundestag, ensures views of state govs. are considered, can delay/amend legislation and veto laws that affect Lander.
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WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION AND PRESIDENT?
Convention = elects President, allows views of Lander to be combined for a fair choice of Pres. President = head of state of FRG, represents FRG abroad, largely ceremonial but acts as check on Chllr and gov, cant be dismissed until new Chllr voted in
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WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL COURT?
Chosen from elections in Bundesrat and Bundestag, short term of office ensures accountability, supreme court of the country, 16 judges, can only have one term of office.
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WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE FRG?
They form the cabinet and is the head of government. They issue guidelines for politics and have responsibility for gov. Can only be removed by VONC. Must be approved by Bundestag, needs Bundestag majority to rule.
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HOW DID ADENAUER BECOME CHANCELLOR?
Elected by majority of 1 in Bundestag. CDU/CSU were largest party, but only had 31% of the vote in August 1949 elections. 12 different parties in the Reichstag.
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HOW DID ADENAUER FORM A GOVERNMENT?
Forged workable coalition of CDSU, FDP and DP. CDSU vote grew in 1953, and in 1957 the CDSU won 50.2% vote = majority.
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WHO WERE THE CSU/CDU?
Moderate conservative political party founded by former members of Zentrum. CSU was the Bavarian 'sister party.' Together became dominant party in FRG 1949-1969.
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WHO WERE THE SPD? (FRG)
German Socialist Party, developed from old SPD as reformed in Western zone in 1945. After 1959, changed to more middle class reformist party with broader voter base.
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WHO WERE THE FDP?
Free Democratic Party was socioeconomically liberal. Held balance of power in Bundestag for most of FRG's existence. Served in coalitions from 1949-56, 1961-66 and 1982-88. Merger of 9 regional liberal parties formed to FDP.
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WHO WERE THE KPD? (FRG)
German Communist Party revived after war. Won seats in 1949 (5.7% vote) but support collapsed after Communist state established in EG. Banned by Cons. Court 1956. Ceased to exist in 1969 when new, legal DKP was formed.
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WHO WERE THE DP?
German Conservative Party, founded in 1947. Had cons. and traditional values with some nationalist sentiment. Unpopular due to RW views. Merged with smaller parties to make 'all German Party' in 1960, failed to win seat in 1961, disappear nationally.
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WHAT WERE ADENAUER'S STRENGTHS AND CHARACTERISTICS?
Good at dealing with other countries (acted as his own Foreign Minister) and rehabilitating WG into Europe. Hard headed and outspoken but a gentleman. Realist, accepted privately the division of Germany, concentrating on rebuilding WG.
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WHAT GESTURE DID ADENAUER MAKE TOWARDS THE ALLIED HIGH COMMISSIONERS?
On a formal visit, upon taking office, Adenauer warned not to step on carpet reserved for AHCs. Purposely did just that, making sure press captured moment.
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WHY WAS THE CDU/CSU SO POPULAR?
Party emphasised Christian values, benefited from support of ex Zentrum Catholics, who after division, made up just over half of WG. Economic upturn meant party was associated with economic growth and a rise in living standards.
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WHY WAS ADENAUER ACCUSED OF 'CHANCELLOR DEMOCRACY'?
Reduced no. of competing political parties by having RW Socialist Reich Party (SRP) banned in 1952 and the KPD banned in 1956 by the Constitutional Court.
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HOW AND WHY DID ADENAUER TREAT FORMER NAZIS?
Rehabilitated, used them within his administration. Drew on talent of former politicians and administrators. Series of amnesties, war criminals slowly released back into civilian life.
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HOW DID NAZISM CONTINUE TO BENEFIT SOME IN SOCIETY?
1951 Reinstatement Act re-employed many ex-Nazis in civil service. Entrepreneurs allowed to use capital amassed in Nazi period to expand businesses. Early 1950s = 40-80% of officials were former NSDAP members, including members of the judiciary.
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GIVE OF EXAMPLES OF FORMER NAZIS INVOLVED IN ADENAUER'S GOVERNMENT
Foreign Ministry created in 1949, 39/49 senior members were old Nazi members. Minister for Refugees Oberlander was former ** man and forced to resign 1960. Sec. of State Globke wrote official commentary on Nuremburg Race Laws 1935.
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WHAT WAS ADENAUER'S PERSONAL POSITION ON FORMER NAZIS?
Unknown but he saw advantages of keeping ex Nazis supporting and serving him. Payed 100b DM compensation to Israel in 1952. Tried to downplay Nazi past and focus on future.
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WHAT SHOWED THAT PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY WAS A SUCCESS BY 1953?
Three major parties (CDSU, SPD and FDP) dominated political scene. The main CDSU coalition showed flexibility and success. 5% rule reduced no. of lesser parties, along with Adenauer using 'broad tent' tactics.
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WHAT DOES 'ONE SIDED DEMOCRACY' REFER TO?
The FRG had weak opposition, meaning there was less accountability and challenge for Adenauer's gov.
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WHY WAS THE SPD SEEN TO BE UNPOPULAR?
Portrayed by CDSU as 'semi Communist' even though it was committed to democracy. Schumacher argued reunif. should be top of agenda, vote loser bc it seemed unrealistic, predicted CDSU economic policies would fail = wrong.
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WHAT WERE THE INTERNAL ISSUES THE SPD FACED?
Division over issue of rearmament, also seen as 'working class' when WG was becoming more affluent and middle class. Ollenhauer, leader after Schumacher, was seen as fairly dull.
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WHAT ISSUES WAS ADENAUER'S GOV. FACED WITH?
Rebuilding devastated towns and cities where citizens still lived in temporary accommodation. Country full of refugees and expellees, some who had already spent a long time in 'holding camps.' Some Nazi victims were seeking compensation.
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WHAT WAS THE 1950 CONSTRUCTION LAW?
Set up generous system of grants to Lander and cities supporting large scale building projects, and housing building. Provided over 4 million homes by 1957.
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WHAT WAS THE 1953 EQUALISATION OF BURDENS ACT AND HOW WERE REFUGEES/EXPELLEES HELPED?
EBA 1953 provided compensation to victims of Nazi crimes, as long as they could prove it to a new gov. committee. Gov. programmes helped reintegrate RaEs, so well that in the 1957 election, the party representing them, the BHE, failed to gain 5%.
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HOW DID ADENAUER'S GOV. REFORM CONDITIONS FOR WORKERS?
Collective Bargaining Law 1949 allowed workers in factories to participate in decision making and 1951 legislation established representation of workers in management in large coal and steel companies. Ensured peaceful labour relations.
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WHAT WELFARE REFORMS DID ADENAUER MAKE?
A new index-linked Pensions Act in 1957, provided substantial increase on former pensions.
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HOW WAS THE BUNDESWEHR CREATED?
Adenauer argued for creation of armed security police from 1950, to control domestically but also to resist Communism in the East. Eventually agreed in 1956, public opinion supportive, wanting defence of democratic values.
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WHAT ISSUES SURROUNDED THE BUNDESWEHR?
Caution taken to prevent it becoming an independent and politically influential influential organisation. Parliamentary Chief Commissioner appointed to take overall control, advisory committee to review appointment of senior officers.
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WHAT WAS ADENAUER'S 'MAGNET THEORY' AND HOW DID THIS CAUSE PROBLEMS?
If WG could accomplish, it would attract citizens of the GDR, which would inevitably collapse anyways. In 1956, majority of FDP broke away under Dehler, disagreeing with Adenauer's attitude to the GDR.
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WHAT SHOWED ADENAUER TO BE INDIFFERENT TO THE UNITY/DIVISION ISSUE?
In 1961 GDR erected Berlin Wall, outcry in WG. Adenauer did not visit Berlin until later, allowing Brandt to accuse him of indifference.
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HOW DID ADENAUER'S THIRD TERM BEGIN?
Elected with 50.2% of the vote and an absolute majority. Was now 81 but had strong reputation. In 1961 elections, CDSU vote fell to 46%, FDP rose by 5.1% = greater influence. Adenauer managed to negotiate coalition, agreeing to resign in 2 years.
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HOW DID THE SPD CHANGE IN 1959?
Reformed through Bad Godesberg Programme, dropping commitment against capitalism and instead accepted Erhard's economic approach and supported Western integration. Abandoned Marxist ideals laid down at Erfurt in 1891.
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HOW DID ADENAUER COMPARE TO WILLY BRANDT?
Brandt became leader of SPD in 1960, young and dynamic. In 1959 Adenauer put self forward for Pres. on Heuss's retirement. Withdrew unable to identify suitable protege for Chllr. Seemed arrogant, causing friction in party.
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WHAT WAS THE SPIEGEL AFFAIR OF 1962?
Defence Min. Strauss ordered arrest of editors of magazine that had criticised Bundeswehr. Journalists seized at night, reminiscent of Nazi state. Provoked press outcry, student demos and resignation of 5 FDP cabinet ministers.
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HOW DID THE SPIEGEL AFFAIR END ADENAUER?
CDSU led coalition needed return of FDP to survive. Price for return was dismissal of Strauss and resignation of Adenauer - both requests were granted.
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WHAT WAS THE 'COUNT ME OUT' ATTITUDE?
Germans wanted quiet, private life, leaving politics to politicians, only voted to ensure continuity. Surveys suggest maj. favoured property, jobs & income to democratic freedoms. Cause =forced politics of Nazism & lack of democratic tradition.
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HOW DID SCHWABING RIOTS HIGHLIGHT ISSUES WITH WG DEMOCRACY UNDER ADENAUER?
Adenauer supported heavy handed policing against protesting youths = intolerant to any extra-parliamentary protest movements. Inflexible approach to political dissent. SR = 1962, clashes between youth + Munich police.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
WHAT WAS THE STATEMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS?
Back
Guaranteed freedom of expression, assembly, association, and movement for all German citizens. Committed FRG to full unity of Germany and recognised all German people (including those under Soviet and Polish rule) as citizens of the FRG.
Card 3
Front
HOW WAS FGR CITIZENSHIP DETERMINED?
Back
Card 4
Front
HOW MANY GERMANS FLED TO THE FRG?
Back
Card 5
Front
WHAT WAS THE ELECTORATE'S ROLE IN THE NEW CONSTITUTION?
Back
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